Harrowing
Holidays

or Lucius and
the Chilean Confrontation

Recently, to my surprise, I
found myself in South America (the story of my arrival there is
quite a unique tale in itself!). I decided that as long as I was
there, I would make the best of my time. After contacting a few
acquaintances, I was able to conduct some research into several
obscure South American cultures. I was also able to practice my
Spanish, which I have been working on and felt was much improved
since my last foray to Mexico. Towards the end of my expedition,
I made a point to visit Santiago, Chile, where my dear friend Dr.
Amelia Gutierrez works with the Chilean Red Cross. Trained as an
anthropologist, she devotes herself to helping the Chilean people
in whatever capacity she can. I arrived at the Red Cross
headquarters in the early afternoon with a Christmas gift of
chocolate truffles in hand. I was surprised by the amount of
bustle going on around me. In my best Spanish, I asked a young
volunteer where I might find Dr. Gutierrez.

"Ella está allí"
he replied as he pointed at a nearby door. I thanked the young
man and as I approached, I saw that the door bore Amelia's name.
I knocked and was greeted by a rather frazzled Amelia. It is here
that the real story begins.

"Oh Lucius, it is so
good to see you, but I'm afraid we are having a crisis here. I
don't know how much time I will be able to spend with you"
Amelia stated sadly.

"Not to worry, Amelia,
your job comes first. But tell me, what is causing such
commotion?" I inquired.

Amelia began to weave a most
tragic tale for me. It seemed that a volcano on a small island
near the Juan Fernández Islands was erupting. The eruption had
mysteriously begun without any of the usual warning signs
monitored by volcanologists. Unlike most islands in the area,
this one had been overlooked by the Spanish and to this day
sported a small population of indigenous people who lived on a
remote and inaccessible portion of the island. The Red Cross was
attempting to fly in aid supplies and even Christmas gifts for
the children, but was being hampered by the thick volcanic ash in
the air. Even more serious, the evacuation effort was only
marginally successful due to the difficulties in reaching the
inhabitants.

"Lucius, it is so
frustrating! We have a helicopter loaded with supplies, but no
one can fly it through the ash clouds surrounding the
island" Amelia explained.

After inquiring of Amelia
what type of helicopter they were utilizing, I felt that I might
be of some help.

"Amelia, I am quite
familiar with the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, and in my time, I have
flown in worse conditions than those you have described to me.
Please allow me to attempt the flight."

"Lucius, I could never
allow it, it is far too dangerous, if anything were to happen to
you . . ."

I do not surrender easily,
dear reader, and in the end, I was able to persuade her to allow
me to try. With that decision reached, I quickly found myself
being ferried to the airport where the Chinook awaited me. After
speedily preparing and checking the helicopter, I was cleared to
depart. With a wave I fired up the twin turbo shaft engines.

Preparing the helicopter for take-off

Lucius waves farewell

Most of the flight to the
island was uneventful. I was lulled into a subdued state with
only the thrum of the engines around me and the liquid blue
tapestry unfolding below me. As I approached the island, I saw
why others had declined to take this journey. Thick gray-black
soot obscured the sky. I entered the dark cloud and was enveloped
in night. I relied solely on my instruments for guidance. Small
volcanic rocks began to pelt the helicopter. Suddenly the engines
began to whine and shutter. I knew that the volcanic debris was
clogging the intakes. Warning lights flashed on my console. As I
struggled to control the craft, I inched closer to my landing
spot.

I did not know whether I would
be able to reach my goal. I dropped to a lower altitude
so that I could avoid most of the debris in the air. Now
I only had to navigate around the trees and thick
foliage. With relief, I saw my appointed landing spot
come into view. Some of the islanders were there to greet
me. I landed the Chinook and cut the engines. I explained
to the islanders who I was and what I had brought. They
appeared quite delighted and relieved and quickly began
unloading my cargo. I inquired of one large man named
Maita what had been happening. Maita seemed to be a man
of some importance. He explained to me that the eruption
had caught the people by surprise and that now, between
the lava flows, the ash, and the treacherous coastline,
escape was nearly impossible. With a conspiratorial look
in his eye, he explained one more detail to me.

Warning lights flash as Lucius is enveloped by the ash

"It is Huacachella, the
god of the volcano" whispered Maita. "Since time
immemorial Huacachella has demanded a human sacrifice from our
people every four years. This time we have refused him his
sacrifice, and this is the price that we must pay. As the new
chief, I refuse to abandon one of my people to the volcano. No
longer will we slaughter one of our own to protect the rest. Come
what may, we stand together."

I was incensed! This
Huacachella seemed no more than a bully and a common
extortionist!

"This behavior is
despicable. It is entirely inappropriate to demand human
sacrifice and to spew lava at innocents" I told Maita.
"I will climb the volcano and have a talk with this
Huacachella! Then we will see who is cowed!"